In the age of curated social media posts and filtered realities, vulnerability from public figures often comes as a rare moment of truth. That’s exactly what veteran Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal delivered in his heartfelt appearance on entrepreneur Raj Shamani’s podcast. In a space where silence had long fuelled speculation, Chahal chose openness, breaking his silence on his much-publicised divorce with choreographer and YouTuber Dhanashree Verma.
Denying allegations of adultery and talking bluntly about how the break-up affected him emotionally, the leg-spinner provided more than responses—he provided truth, even when it stung.
“Never Cheated on Dhanashree”: Chahal Reacts to Gossip
The divorce of Chahal and Dhanashree had been a cause of major public interest. Media and fans gossip about the reasons for the breakup. Chahal clarified that the couple had maintained their divorce as private until it was finalized legally to prevent unwarranted gossip and public criticism.
“It was going on for a very long time. We concluded we don’t want to reveal the people. Who knew if it hadn’t occurred? Possibly, it will be a different situation. We were like until we came to a point of ending, we are not going to mention anything. We will be like any other couple on social media,” Chahal said.
The cricketer spoke out against the cheating rumors that had emerged during the period, lamenting over being labeled a “cheater” by elements of the internet.
“When I was doing the divorce thing, people tagged me as a cheat. I never cheat. You will never find a more loyal person than me. For my loved ones, I think with my heart. I never asked, just gave. When you do not know, you are writing. I have two sisters, so I know how to respect girls. Just because you are spotted with someone, you will hook up with someone and write for views. The issue is if you respond once, there will be more people who will come knowing you will respond,” he continued.
Chahal Speaks on Mental Illness and Suicidal Thoughts
Perhaps the most poignant part of the interview was Chahal’s revelation regarding his mental health breakdown. He shared that the pressure of his personal life drove him to a dark place in his mind, where he often felt anxious, sleep-deprived, and even suicidal.
“I was bored with my life. Every day I cannot repeat the same. Same things. Same tension. Crying for two hours. Sleep 2-3 hours, and still same thing is going on. I thought it was good, and it ended. This used to happen short-term, like 1-2 days a month. 40-45 days, this time it continued when I had taken a break from cricket. I used to have thoughts, some people do it,” Chahal said.
The cricketer also stated that he withdrew himself from the game voluntarily to avoid letting his mental agony influence the performance of the team.
“I left cricket as I did not wish for the team to suffer because of me,” he further said.
A Rare Moment of Vulnerability in Indian Cricket
Chahal’s interview has struck a chord with fans, not only for his candour regarding his relationship, but also for the bravery of speaking so openly about mental health—a subject still widely stigmatised in Indian sporting culture. His tale is a reminder that despite the glory and fame, cricketers are just as human as anyone else, grappling with feelings that extend far beyond the confines of the pitch.
